Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-12
sAss
PO e II Il Y .
An Incident Of Sheridans Raid Through
the James River Valley.

eAO VonOo ihA'OA fdAAVys
To the Editor or .I~ Jourier-Journal]
NORWOOD r. o., NEIsoN Co.. VAL have
just been reading yor excellent paper, and the
idea occurred to me ithat possibly you could
find in IL a corner for some lines descriptive o.
an incident Of Sheridan's raid through our
valley. The incident is q true one, and the man
and boy were both members OF this cornmu-
nifty.
Down thro' the heart of our beautiful land,
Swiftly and silently ride strong band
Of Federal cavalry, spreading around
And behind them the piteous sound
OfdestTuction and burning and miserable pain,
Till even the echoes take up the refrain,
And all the bright, beautiful valley OF James
Is blackened and ravaged with fury and
flames.
Onward they come, relentless and strong,
Remorseless as fate. for to them shall belong
That cruelest, bitterest task in all war,
The brining it home to the hearthstone and
door,
The giving OF homestead and barns to the
torch,
The anguish of women and childl en-, for such
An end fate DEGREES shall always attend
Brothers strife against brother, frit n against
friend
Swiftly and silent, remorseless and strong,
The dark blue thunder-cloud rolls along
Till the shades Of evening begin to fall
Gently and calmly upon them all,
Victor and vanquished, friend and foe.
While the river murmurs in rythmic flow,
And the breezes bring from the distant hill
Gods own benison-peace, be still.
Halt! the order runs down the line,
What sound is borne on the sleepy wind;
Nearer and nearer, distant and clear,
The trampfpg OF horses comes to the ear,
And down road, to the left of their course,
Quickly there comes galleping horse;
Then another, till seeing the hostile train.
They turn anu gallop the way they came.
Riding for life, while fuller and clearer
The sounds of pursuit come nearer and nearer,
Onward they dash in their desperate course
Each mans life hangs on the strength of his
horse
AS they madly press on they well represent
The poor Southern cause, so broken and spent,
A boy In his teens, man war-worn and lame
While fierce on their track regiment came.
keep near " groaned the man, with lips
white and set;
"If Just keep the saddle. we'll distance them
yet.
Your hand quick, an instant, Pm slipping you
see.
oh. God if ifthatshellh had but left me my knee.
I'd still ride with the best. Hark they gain
US fast.
I'd give life for pistol. to have but one last,
Good shot at the blue coats If just to requite
For the loss of my leg and this miserable
flight"
Don't turn your head" the boy eagerly cried.
Speak not a word, for your life you must ride.
Down fiat on your horse, I'll guide him all
right;
Put your arms round his neck quick, the
leaders in sight.
How You eel in your saddle; don't try to look
round.
Ho! steady, good horse-my God he Is down.
We are in for it now; they have us both fast;
I said I'd stand by him, and will to the last"
as a Wild yell OF triumph rings out on the air,
Hesprings from his horse with the strength
of despair
Grasps the man in his arms, lifts him on to his
steed,
Leaps back on his own, and puts both to their
speed,
But turns in his saddle 20 give loud shout
Of nlocking defiance, tits in vain to call out
Halt, or we fire." as well to command
The outgoing tIde to return to the strand.
stop. menu cried their officer; mot a step
more;
20 gallant an action never before
Behed in lad of his years. Let them go;
To continue pursuit would serve but to show
Ourselves to be catiffs, unworthy the name
Both of soldiers and men. / could hardly re-
fraln
From cheering that brave little rsb' on the
spot
Wen return to the main body; forward. then,
trot."
Tis many long years since the demon OF war
Fled from our land. The grass has grown DER
Dur ruins and graves; still when memory
turns
To review our dead past. and unspeakahly
yearns
For the things of that past. then deeds like this
boys
Come to our rem embrancs. and bids us rejoice
That, tho ruined and conquered, we're still
not undone
While our noble dead heroes yet live in their
sons.
VrRGINIA